Swift Stories | Summer 2024

During our summer trips, crew members take turns blogging about their adventures while they're at sea. The following are excerpts from the Pacific Swift's blog, written during Trip 4.
 

So far, this trip has been full of life and adventure on the beautiful Central Coast. Leaving Port Hardy, we were greeted with calm seas as we headed north for Calvert Island. With a very gentle roll, we rounded Cape Caution and headed into Fitz Hugh Sound in dense fog, dropping our anchor in Pruth Bay. In the morning of Day 2 we learned how to launch the ships' dories and headed to Hakai Research Institute and a walk across to beautiful West Beach. A couple games of sticks were played before a refreshing swim in the chilly ocean. Back onboard, we raised the dories and our anchor before turning north once more towards Goose Group. Lessons were taught on Chartwork to the Juniors and Intermediates before the northwest wind picked up and we set our fore and aft sails, having a lovely sail in towards our anchorage.

Below: the Grace, from the perspective of a Swift trainee when the ships met up during Trip 4

 

 
Day 3

The morning brought more lessons and "secret friends" given to each person before heading ashore for a beach walk and garbage clean up. One of the dories has a sailing rig to it and they had an exhilarating downwind sail back to the Pacific Swift. Weighing anchor and dories, we quickly set sail and took off on a beautiful beam reach north to Stryker Island. As we came out of the lee of Goose Group, the Swift surged over the ocean swell at 8 knots! Again, anchoring just after dinner, we enjoyed a peaceful night at beautiful Stryker Island.

 

Day 4

We weighed anchor and tried our hand at fishing. Without much luck, we turned north and rounded Cape Mark, heading for Princess Royal Channel. With a beautiful following breeze, we set our squares and mainsail and gybed our way to Green Inlet, where we anchored for the evening. Everyone was engaged in setting sail, sail handling and furling; a very keen and helpful group!

Day 5

Day 5 was a travelling day around Princess Royal Island. We weaved our way through the stunning islands and narrow channels, stopping along the way at Butedale to see the waterfall and have a refreshing swim and rope swing off the boat. Continuing around Princess Royal Island, we headed for "Whale Channel" and were not disappointed. First, we saw Minke whales slowly travelling along. Then, we spotted a group of Humpback whales feeding and we were greeted to an incredible show of 8 humpback whales bubble netting right along the shore. It was stunning! We lowered our hydrophone into the water and listened to the haunting whale calls as they surrounded the fish with bubbles and then lunged out of the water filling their huge mouths! Each whale has their own job in this process and as we watched we were guessing what each of their roles were and trying to figure out when they would appear based on their song. Finally, leaving the whales, we headed for Campania Island. Whales' spouts and breaches filled the horizon, and we tried our hand at fishing while the sun set. We were lucky to land a couple of coho salmon! A very full day. [For reference, please refer to these rules for safely viewing whales if you are boating in coastal waters: bewhalewise.org.]
 

Day 6

We launched dories and headed ashore to the spectacular Campania beaches, a place we have come to fondly refer to as "Hawaii North" because it feels and looks almost tropical. It felt good to stretch our legs after two days onboard. Lunch was brought ashore after a sand sculpture competition, which yielded some very impressive creations. After lunch some ventured on a short walk inland while some relaxed on the beach.
 

All are well as we tuck in tonight. Everyone has knit together quite smoothly, and it feels very content onboard. We are eagerly awaiting to see if the Pacifc Grace will appear anchored beside us in the morning after their crossing from Haida Gwaii or if we will have our reunion farther south.
 

Photos by: Sam W, anonymous summer 2024 participants

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